Talking Shop w/ James Dugan & Rob Grabowski

Each week, James Dugan and Rob Grabowski sit down with a member of the Chicago Comedy Community to discuss comedy, life, and everything in between. Please subscribe, rate, and review!

The Last One with Paige Maney 04/22/2022

The Last One with Paige Maney This week, James and Rob are joined by Paige Maney to end the podcast. Thanks for listening everybody. /episode/index/show/talkingshoppodcast/id/22862186

I'm Better Now with Bryan Duff 04/12/2022

I'm Better Now with Bryan Duff In the second to last episode, James and Rob are joined by local man Bryan Duff! They talk with Bryan about his start in Chicago, Improvised Shakespeare, Baby Wants Candy, rough auditions, and how everytime you're out they pull you back in. Follow Bryan on twitter @ and check out his podcast Want to share some improv advice? Email us at Like what we do? Support our As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. /episode/index/show/talkingshoppodcast/id/22769570

Chaotic Nature with Louie Saunders 04/06/2022

Chaotic Nature with Louie Saunders This week, James and Rob are joined by lover of serial killers Louie Saunders! They talk with Louie about creative fulfilment, getting old in improv, tanking in shows, Boy-ish, and jams. This is the first episode in awhile where we get into the nitty gritty of improv so enjoy. Follow Louie on twitter at and see him in several shows over at Like what we do? Support our (Only two more chances!) As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. /episode/index/show/talkingshoppodcast/id/22696892

Goofballs with Brian Stack 03/29/2022

Goofballs with Brian Stack This week, James and Rob are joined by late night writer Brian Stack! Yes, that Brian Stack. They talk with Brian about growing up in the suburbs, early influences, introverts, working with Conan for 20 years, and luck. Follow Brian on twitter @ and watch The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (and check out their ). Here are links to the sketches we references: and Have a piece of advice? Email us at Like what we do? Support our As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. /episode/index/show/talkingshoppodcast/id/22604507

Better Than the Status Quo with Mike Johnson 03/23/2022

Better Than the Status Quo with Mike Johnson This week, James and Rob are joined by improviser and puppeteer Mike Johnson! We talk with Mike about his finance background, how he found improv, early days at The Playground, The Pool, leadership, and the history of FELT. Follow Mike on twitter @ and see him every Saturday with at CIC. Also, check out and at . Like what we do? Support our (only a few chances left) As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. /episode/index/show/talkingshoppodcast/id/22538651

Yes and Go F**K Yourself with Mick Napier 03/16/2022

Yes and Go F**K Yourself with Mick Napier This week, James and Rob are joined by director, theatre owner, and improv legend: Mick Napier! They talk with Mick about the beginning of the Annoyance, improv "rules", video games, directing, and what's going on with the new iO. Follow Mick on instagram @ Check out his books and Also, go see shows and take classes at Like what we do? Support our As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. /episode/index/show/talkingshoppodcast/id/22464617

Year of Yes with Kelly Leonard 03/08/2022

Year of Yes with Kelly Leonard This week, James and Rob are joined by fellow podcaster: Kelly Leonard! They talk with Kelly about his start at Second City, how he rose through the ranks to become Executive Vice President, why he stepped down, the new path he found, the true business of improv, and the importance of dinner clubs. Follow Kelly on twitter @ And check out this podcast . Like what we do? Support our As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. /episode/index/show/talkingshoppodcast/id/22373003

I Can Write Stuff with John Lutz 03/01/2022

I Can Write Stuff with John Lutz This week, James and Rob are joined by actor/writer/improviser and nice guy: JOHN LUTZ! They talk with John about his start in Chicago, creating new forms, auditioning for SNL, paying attention, working on 30 Rock, and being imtimidated by nice people. Follow John on twitter @ and listen to Like what we do? support our ! (only a few more episodes to do so) As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. /episode/index/show/talkingshoppodcast/id/22292600

Gallows Humor with Susan Messing 02/23/2022

Gallows Humor with Susan Messing This week, James and Rob are joined by improv legend and all around great person: Susan Messing! They talk with Susan about volunteer laughter, F.I.D.S., stupid goals, early Annoyance, and the healing properities of improv. Follow Susan on twitter @ and on instagram @ See her perform live in the in and Like what we do? Support our As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. /episode/index/show/talkingshoppodcast/id/22226435

Try Everything with Dave Pasquesi 02/15/2022

Try Everything with Dave Pasquesi This week, James and Rob are joined by the great Dave Pasquesi! They talk with Dave about Harold openings, successful improv, worst shows, stand up, and Star Wars. It's a real treat. Follow Dave on twitter @ , purchase his book, , and watch him in . Like what we do? Support our As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. /episode/index/show/talkingshoppodcast/id/22133630

Hedonic Treadmill with Andy Junk 02/08/2022

Hedonic Treadmill with Andy Junk This week, James and Rob are joined by their first (and maybe only) repeat guest: ANDY JUNK! They talk with Andy about moving to New York, personal trust, restarting, hobbie vs career, and inside out boy. Follow Andy on instagram @ and if you're in NYC check out the Here's the episode of the Andy was talking about. Like what we do? Support our As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. /episode/index/show/talkingshoppodcast/id/22059350

A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT 02/01/2022

A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT This week, James and Rob share a big announcement. /episode/index/show/talkingshoppodcast/id/21972809

Chef's Arrogance with Bruce Phillips 01/25/2022

Chef's Arrogance with Bruce Phillips This week, James and Rob are joined by the guest they swore they would never have on: Bruce Phillips! They talk with Bruce about early memories, post show hangs, auditions, so much ship talk, devised works, and boy scouts. Follow Bruce on instagram @ and see him perform with , , and . Like what we do? Support that PATREON As always, rate, review, and subscribe. /episode/index/show/talkingshoppodcast/id/21884693

Dog Relaxation Protocol with Meredith Stepien 01/19/2022

Dog Relaxation Protocol with Meredith Stepien This week, James and Rob are virtual with special guest Meredith Stepien! They talk with Meredith about Star Trek, training a dog, working for the Alder Planetarium, talking to astronauts, and Star Kid. /episode/index/show/talkingshoppodcast/id/21818729

Very Successful Failed Comedian with Geoff Dow 01/11/2022

Very Successful Failed Comedian with Geoff Dow This week, James and Rob are joined by generic white guy Geoff Dow! They talk with Geoff about danger zones, auditioning for SNL, Just for Laughs, failing at important moments, improv advice, and churches per capita. /episode/index/show/talkingshoppodcast/id/21738224

Stone Soup with Tara Egan 01/04/2022

Stone Soup with Tara Egan And we're back! Kicking off 2022, James and Rob are joined by the president of improv Tara Egan! They talk with Tara about gifted schools, staying artistic, college improv, auditions, short form vs long form, and Annoyance stuff. /episode/index/show/talkingshoppodcast/id/21668465

EPISODE RE-BROADCAST with Tina Arfaee 12/21/2021

EPISODE RE-BROADCAST with Tina Arfaee This week, James and Rob have to air a rerun. The holidays are a busy time! /episode/index/show/talkingshoppodcast/id/21555269

ME-YOW with Brad Johnson 12/15/2021

ME-YOW with Brad Johnson This week, James and Rob are joined by Baton Rouge's own Brad Johnson! They talk with Brad about understudying, SNL dreams, writing, true friendship, method acting, and brushes with celebrities. /episode/index/show/talkingshoppodcast/id/21490148

Hot Boy Cast with Josie Benedetti 12/07/2021

Hot Boy Cast with Josie Benedetti This week, James and Rob are joined by new camera owner Josie Benedetti! They talk with Josie about growing up in Montana, attending school in Portland, Baby Wants Candy, Fringe Fest, moving to Chicago, Trigger Happy, and much more. /episode/index/show/talkingshoppodcast/id/21401033

Self-Sabotage with Annie Sullivan 11/30/2021

Self-Sabotage with Annie Sullivan This week, James and Rob are joined by Annie Sullivan! They talk with Annie about her time in comedy studies, cool older brothers, writing partners, inspiration, phases of comedy, Devil's Daughter, and much more. /episode/index/show/talkingshoppodcast/id/21320354

Beetlejuice with Dan Shea 11/23/2021

Beetlejuice with Dan Shea This week, James and Rob are joined by tech guy Dan Shea! We talk with Dan about this time as house manager at iO, event planning, producing shows, running the board, bad pulls, and college issues. /episode/index/show/talkingshoppodcast/id/21255158

Dutch Total Football with Karl Bradley 11/16/2021

Dutch Total Football with Karl Bradley AND WE'RE BACK! /episode/index/show/talkingshoppodcast/id/21176291

Concentrated Joy with John Sabine 11/03/2021

Concentrated Joy with John Sabine This week, James and Rob are joined by one of the best: John Sabine! They talk with John about tracking shows, the return of the Late 90s, teaching, twitter, and how Yes And might be bad. /episode/index/show/talkingshoppodcast/id/21033362

JPM (Jokes per Minute) with Jesse Swanson 10/27/2021

JPM (Jokes per Minute) with Jesse Swanson This week, James and Rob are joined by Second City producer Jesse Swanson! They talk with Jesse about his self proclaimed mediocre rise, updates, senses of humor, how we're all broken, and how he wears many, many hats. /episode/index/show/talkingshoppodcast/id/20953139

Musical Liaison with Harrison Lott 10/19/2021

Musical Liaison with Harrison Lott This week, James and Rob are joined by their final punch (kinda) on the Devil's Daughter free sandwich card: Harrison Lott! They talk with Harrison about traveling, comfort zones, confidence, art outside of your normal art, and Blue Man Group. /episode/index/show/talkingshoppodcast/id/20862536

A Very Relaxed Woman with Claire McFadden 10/12/2021

A Very Relaxed Woman with Claire McFadden This week, James and Rob are joined by the wonderful Claire McFadden! They talk with Claire about social media rules, long boarding, tour co, Arts and Crafts, negativity, working for JackBox Games, and how much improv rocks. /episode/index/show/talkingshoppodcast/id/20784311

A Dart Through Jelly with Rosie Moan 10/05/2021

A Dart Through Jelly with Rosie Moan This week, James and Rob are joined by the fantastic Rosie Moan! We finally got her! /episode/index/show/talkingshoppodcast/id/20708036

Definitely Not a Flex with David Yontz 09/28/2021

Definitely Not a Flex with David Yontz This week, James and Rob are joined by a Wooster Rooster Alumni David Yontz. They talk with David about having a child, college days, thesis projects, writing comedic music, becoming an MD for improv and magic shows, and Daniel Tiger. /episode/index/show/talkingshoppodcast/id/20622833

Schlubby with Tim Metzler 09/21/2021

Schlubby with Tim Metzler This week, James and Rob are joined by This Man Tim Metzler! They talk with Tim about marriage, recharging yourself, the worst auditions, moving, Garden Boys, Beth Kuhn, and the quickest ship talk so far! /episode/index/show/talkingshoppodcast/id/20545148

Rebel with No Cause with Maria Konopken 09/14/2021

Rebel with No Cause with Maria Konopken This week, James and Rob are joined by Maria Konopken! They talk with Maria about her start in comedy/story telling, solo shows, specific cultural references, Matt Damon Improv, Burlesque is More, and how her grandfather was a spy. /episode/index/show/talkingshoppodcast/id/20464991

Talking Shop w/ James Dugan & Rob Grabowski

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